H.S. BASEBALL: Whitman-Hanson holds off Plymouth South

Down 7-1 in the top of the sixth inning, Plymouth South rallied for four runs to make it interesting against Whitman-Hanson before ultimately falling 7-5 in a Patriot League game on Friday afternoon

John O'Callaghan The Enterprise JOCallaghan_ENT

Too little, too late.

Down 7-1 in the top of the sixth inning, Plymouth South rallied for four runs to make it interesting against Whitman-Hanson before ultimately falling, 7-5, in a Patriot League baseball game on Friday afternoon.

“We’re not going to mail in any game,” Plymouth South (3-4, 2-3) head coach John Peila said. “We’re not going to concede anything to anyone, ever.”

With all the momentum on Plymouth South’s side at that point, Whitman-Hanson (6-1, 5-0) head coach Pat Cronin did what any manager would and turned to his reliable closer in Luke Tamulevich, who recorded his third save of the week.

“He’s poised, so when you bring him in the last inning, he’s got a great breaking ball, great change-up, and the fastball he can throw right by you,” Cronin said. “He’s our co-captain and to have that kind of leadership that can come in and (shut them down). ... It’s a real luxury to have a kid like him.”

It did not look like Whitman-Hanson would have to use Tamulevich early on as the offense exploded for three runs in the first inning, followed by two in the second, to take a 5-0 lead.

Two players who stood out offensively for Whitman-Hanson were left fielder Ethan Phelps (4 for 4, run scored) and third baseman Tyler Long (2 for 3, two RBI, walk).

“(Ethan) was amazing today,” Cronin said. “He’s got all kinds of confidence but not at all overbearing or arrogant. He’s just a natural hitter Everything he hit was a bullet.

“(Tyler) is a great two-strike hitter. He’s another kid that fits the pieces,” Cronin said. “He starts at third base, he’ll do a little of everything for you. He’s a great bunter and with two strikes, he’ll hit the ball any way it’s pitched to him.”

Whitman-Hanson starting pitcher Matt Josselyn (5 innings, three earned runs, eight hits, six strikeouts) did not look like a pitcher making his first varsity start.

“I thought Matt was outstanding, Cronin said. “We tried to get what we could out of him because we were getting down to the end of our pitchers.”

Josselyn, along with reliever John Murphy and Tamulevich, could not keep Plymouth South catcher Dylan Ketterer off the bases, as he went 3 for 3 with an RBI and a hit by pitch.

“Dylan’s our captain, he’s our leader. He had a tough day behind the plate today,” Peila said. “He got crossed up today on some pitches but he’s normally solid. He’s a great kid.”

Cronin was aware that the Plymouth South had the talent to stage a comeback at any time.

“(Plymouth South) scared me because they’ve beat some big teams and they’ve come from behind,” Cronin said. “Their first three or four hitters is as good as I’ve seen so far this year.”